Has your initial opinion of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial (The Wall) changed over time?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 16:29:58 -0400

I would like the perspective of Vietnam Veterans on your initial reaction when you heard about the project, to when the design was announced and perhaps most crucially, how you felt if and when you saw it and your opinion of it now.
Vietnam era and other vets are of course welcomed to discuss, however, please preface your post with something indicating as such e.g. 9/11 Era, Vietnam era CONUS, etc

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 29 at 2017 4:33 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 16:33:33 -0400

Impressive and humbling, all at same time. Seeing names of people I had gone to high school and college with sure brought reality front and center.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 29 at 2017 4:37 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 16:37:40 -0400

Vietnam, in country. I couldn't bring myself to go see it, even when I lived nearby

Response by MSgt George Cater made Apr 29 at 2017 5:03 PM

MSgt George Cater — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 17:03:02 -0400

I thought it unconventional but not insulting in any way to vets. Like many, I naturally thought more along the lines of stautues like the "Three Servicemen" eventually added. Spending jr & sr high school watching Vietnam on the news every night, seeing the hippie war protests, enlisting in '69 and barely getting to Nam before the final troop pullouts, I understand the concept of starting at the beginning, going down into the darkest days (for the country & disrespect for the armed forces), and coming out into the light. The light in one way being the 1st Gulf War where we (partially?) got over Vietnam.

Felt that way then - still do now.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 29 at 2017 5:06 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 17:06:45 -0400

I think that the architect did an excellent job of depicting the scar left on the country by the Vietnam War. However, it wasn't a scar resulting from those young men and women listed there. It was a scar left by the wounds of the cowards who attacked service men and women upon their return. It was a scar left by the wounds of their cowardice proclaiming that they would rather be "Red than dead". It was a scar left by the ignorance of those who believed that Vietnam would live in peace if only we left them alone. (I don't believe that they ever acknowledged the death and torture reaped on the Vietnamese after we left by those very communists that the intelligentsia supported).

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 29 at 2017 5:09 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 17:09:07 -0400

I have visited the wall twice in the last 30 years. I was greatly humbled and moved. I served in the Vietnam era, but my name isn't on the wall, obviously, and I am both grateful and sad for those whose names appear there. People I served with in pilot training have their name on that wall. Sadly, Vietnam and Korea are probably the most misunderstood wars in American History. They are wars the US went into to prevent the spread of Communism and expansion of China's territory and influence. Now the schools teach our grandkids and great-grandkids that socialism is superior to capitalism and our democratic republic and 90% of the stuff we buy is made in China.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 29 at 2017 6:29 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 18:29:31 -0400

From what I read, I was originally disappointed in the design and avoided it for years. While on temporary duty in DC in the late 80s, I woke one morning at about 2 AM and decided it was time. Got in the car and went to see it. At first I was in awe at the peaceful scene, then walked past the names until I reached the time period where I found my Platoon mates from Parris Island. Went a little further and found all the men we lost in my squadron. Leaned against the wall and bawled for a good half hour. It felt as though all the tension from listening to all the stories about how screwed up we and the war were was lifted and I realized the greatness those names represented. Have been back several times since then and the feeling from that night comes back each time.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Apr 29 at 2017 6:50 PM

LTC Orlando Illi — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 18:50:07 -0400

I was awed when I first visited it and saw the names of friends and classmates that were etched in that granite. My respect for the memorial has grown over time and never diminished. It is harder for me to visit it now as I look back on my life and reflect on the fact that the lives of those I know on that wall were cut short. Their dreams, loves that never occurred, careers that were never had, children that were never born and golden years that were never experienced are what the wall represents to me now. No one that visits this memorial comes away unscathed. Perhaps that is the power behind the memorial for those of our generation.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Apr 29 at 2017 6:52 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 18:52:38 -0400

I visited The Wall after BCT Graduation in Dress Uniform-I couldn't keep the tear from falling and when asked if I was OK...to my left and right were VETERANS from Nam, WWII and Korea surrounding a just graduated PV2. We saluted together and I was then told that I was NOW part of a family-I WAS A SOLDIER

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Apr 29 at 2017 7:37 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 19:37:33 -0400

Vietnam era (1975) I saw the small traveling wall in Las Vegas, NV. Very moving experience as I do know a few names on the wall. Gt to visit the real one in DC and experienced the same sensation only much more strong. Not so much a sense of loss, but more like a feeling of connection. Semper Fi.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Apr 29 at 2017 8:03 PM

MSgt George Cater — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 20:03:47 -0400

Truthfully, I never experienced a moment of shame, self-doubt, questioning of the morality or political rightness of the Vietnam War. I believed we were trying to give the Vietnamese the same chance at success without communism that South Korea enjoys. The hippies and war protestors were ignorant, pot-smoking, head-up-their-ass children who wanted everything without having to earn any of it. Their opinion of me, the Marine Corps or the war was irrelevant to me as I knew in my heart they were wrong. Therefore their distain for me never meant shit.
Looking back, I know I was fortunate and did not participate it the bloodiest battles like Tet '68. But maybe it was how I was raised. I saw the armed forces as the noblest of callings. Hard men doing hard things for love of family and country. The ones I respected the most were the grunts who had it the hardest. I wanted to be part of that group - to test myself and see if I could measure up. That's why a flunked out of cryptography school to become an 03 and get to Nam before it ended. (Really pissed off that disenrollment board at Pensacola.). Anyway, I got what I wanted and blessedly have lived long enough to see the country pull its head out of its ass enough to thank the Vietnam Vets these days as they should've done then. IMHO.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 29 at 2017 9:38 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 21:38:50 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member I thought the wall was a bunch of hooey. Until I was there - and now reading these comments! Sorry 'bout that!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Apr 29 at 2017 10:04 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 22:04:43 -0400

When I initially heard about this proposal turn project my first feeling was "Yeah, that'll be the day. I not holding my breath. " Immediately forgot about it. Then it happened! There was a real wall and a beautiful wall it is. It was like, OK America is trying to make us feel a little more like we are home, although it was mainly through the efforts of hardworking Vietnam vets that the wall actually appeared in DC. While, I have tried on a couple of occasions to get to DC to visit the Wall in person, that has never happen and, with my age and financial situation I fear I will never make that trip.. However, I have seen the Moving Wall three times when it stopped here in Sacramento and Roseville. Replica or nat, was a very moving experience especially locating a couple guys I went to High School and one other fellow from Sacramento that entered the Army the same day I did and as luck would have it, we bother went to the same AIT at Ft Gordon.
This may be a small thing to most Americans and others, but to me and my vet buddies, this is a hugh deal.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Apr 29 at 2017 10:33 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 22:33:55 -0400

I have been to the Wall many times over the years and have found lately that I must visit it alone, when traveling with family and friends I will ask them to give me this time alone with my Brothers,for the first few times this caused some resentment, but I guess they have finally come to understand that part of my life,even though many years ago is something that I cannot share,I was all in when I heard of the initial project,the design made sense to me and I was moved the first and every time I been in it's presence.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 30 at 2017 12:59 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 00:59:59 -0400

I remember that at first I dismissed the wall as being too little, too late - and a futile attempt by civilians to buy back their self-respect after the way they had treated us when we came home from that war. I had absolutely no interest in ever seeing the thing.

Then a few years back my wife and I stumbled upon the Traveling Wall when it was set up in a state park in northern Kentucky. When we went up to see it there was a tent with AD servicemen with books containing the names on the wall and their locations. When I was asked what names I wanted to find I was suddenly unable to speak, but my wife knew and asked for the names. They gave us paper and pencils to make tracings of the names of my friends there and told us where to find them.

It was a surprisingly powerful experience that still has my eyes leaking as I recall the visit. I have never been to DC to see the actual wall, but I don't imagine that it would hit me any harder than the Traveling Wall did. It is the memories of the lost friends that it represents that gives it the power that it has.

I changed my opinion of the wall completely during that visit.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Apr 30 at 2017 4:20 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 16:20:30 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Marine-VN-68-69--Like many others i saw the Wall as too little too late --too many of my fellow Marines names are on the wall and still do not wish to visit it.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 30 at 2017 5:43 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 17:43:53 -0400

So I'm a Post-9/11 vet. I'm only 34 years old, so the Wall is older than I am.

My perspective of the Wall has never changed exactly, but I will say joining the military gave me a deeper appreciation of it.

Since I was a child, patriotic values were instilled in me. But one thing that was always drilled into me was support for our troops, because there was a time in our history when the public turned their backs on them. Obviously I was a little bit older before I made the connection to the Vietnam War, but it's something that always stuck in my head.

Personally, I never thought it was possible to turn your backs on your own military until I witnessed it myself. (Now I am by no means trying to negate what the Vietnam veterans went though, this is just a personal observation)

I remember when 9/11 happened, you were hard pressed to find someone who didn't support the war. Yellow Support the Troops ribbons were everywhere. Welcome Home parties were celebrations after every deployment. Fast forward after a decade of armed conflict. You see service members being called baby killers, government puppets, murderers, etc. The only people you'll typically see who still support the troops is around military communities.

So it honestly blew my mind when I could see it for myself within my own lifetime the general public turned it's back on the troops. So I always make it a point to thank someone for their service, especially the older veterans, because there was a period in our history where people didn't thank the troops and spit on them instead.

When I see the Wall, it reminds me that there are good people still in this Country who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice even for an ungrateful nation.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 30 at 2017 9:03 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 21:03:36 -0400

Over time, it got more personal for me. Makes you wonder a bit more. Miss you. Wish I got to know you better. I remember, but will others? I guess we get more introspective as we age. Dean, Agent Orange finally ate you up from the inside out. You went long before your time. Does your name belong here? I don't know. Then you make your way out knowing you'll be back again some day. It'll be there just as you will be. The Wall is something I feel a part of because I know some of them. Bottom line, the more relevant, the more it means something.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 1 at 2017 11:54 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 01 May 2017 23:54:46 -0400

(1980 - 2013) Well, it was not my war, but the war of my youth... nightly on ABC, CBS, and NBC. It had always been an amazing monument, both in design and impact. I went TDY many many times to DC and every time I was there, I ensured I made to the National Mall at night to view our memorials when no crowds were present... Try it.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 18 at 2018 10:05 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 10:05:22 -0500

I did not like the design when I first saw the drawings and later some pictures. I actually avpoidewd going there until encouraged by some friends that were driving up for the weekend. I didn't think much about it until I came face tpo face with the wall and then it hit me in many ways from the emotions, the shock of its saze, the fifty eight thousand name to the beauty of the memorial. I has hit with a flood of emotions like I had never had before. I believe it is the best tribute to the Vietnam Fallen that could ever be built. The traveling walls are fine but nothing beats the real deal and the ghost reflected from its panels.